Tater Tot Casserole

This tater tot casserole layers seasoned ground beef, mixed vegetables, and cream of mushroom soup under crispy tater tots and melted cheddar cheese for an easy comfort food dinner ready in 50 minutes.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
2 onions diced
Splash of Worcestershire sauce
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
16 oz frozen mixed vegetables
Salt and pepper to taste
28 oz tater tots frozen
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Green onions sliced, for topping

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onions together, breaking the beef apart as it browns, until fully cooked through. Drain excess grease directly from the skillet.
Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine.
Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and frozen mixed vegetables until completely combined and the soup is fully incorporated throughout.
Smooth the filling into an even layer in the skillet. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single tight layer directly over the filling, covering it completely from edge to edge.
Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake at 375°F for 35 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
Scatter the shredded cheddar over the tater tots and return to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes until fully melted.
Top with sliced green onions and serve directly from the skillet.

Notes

Drain the ground beef well after browning. Excess grease pooling under the tater tots makes the bottom layer of tots soggy rather than crispy.
Arrange the tater tots in a tight, even single layer so every tot gets equal oven exposure and crisps uniformly.
Add the cheese in the last few minutes rather than at the beginning so it melts rather than overbaking and drying out.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after the cheese melts before serving so the filling sets slightly and serves cleanly.